Hicken Appointment Raises Questions About Former Emergency Management Director

The appointment of a new Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director became an opportunity to question the management of the former director. During the County Board meeting Tuesday night County Supervisor Tom Dornbrook asked about the turnover in dispatchers and issues with dispatch. He also proposed having the appointee, Bobbi Hicken, serve six months in that capacity before making the appointment permanent. He also questioned why Hicken was the only one considered for the job. County Executive Al Buechel told supervisors she was groomed for the job under former director Jim McNabb and is more than qualified for it. Supervisor Marty Schroeder who has been on the Board’s Public Safety Committee for nearly six years said it was Hicken who came up with a solution to problems in dispatch and she has contributed greatly to a dispatch program that has saved lives. Hicken’s appointment was approved by a 21 to 2 vote. Dornbrook, who is the Brandon Fairwater Police Chief, and Supervisor Dean Will a former County Sheriff’s Captain voted against the appointment.